News

Community Futures Eastern Ontario (CFEO) was pleased to welcome members, volunteers, partners, clients, funders, elected officials, and stakeholders to our 2026 Annual General Meeting, hosted at the unforgettable Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. With 45 participants in attendance, this year's AGM was an opportunity to celebrate our collective achievements, strengthen relationships, and look ahead as we continue supporting entrepreneurs and rural economic development across Eastern Ontario.

This year's AGM took place at the beautiful Canadian Canoe Museum, a venue that celebrates Canada's rich history while inspiring innovation and exploration. The museum provided a fitting backdrop for a day focused on collaboration, leadership, and building stronger rural communities.

Throughout the event, attendees connected with colleagues from across the Community Futures network, shared ideas, and celebrated another successful year of helping businesses thrive throughout Eastern Ontario.

A highlight of this year's program was an inspiring presentation from Entomo Farms, a client of both Community Futures Peterborough (CFP) and the Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII). Their story demonstrated how innovative thinking, entrepreneurship, and community support can create exciting opportunities for business growth while addressing global sustainability challenges.

Guests also had the opportunity to enjoy a unique culinary experience featuring a chocolate tart made with Entomo Farms’ cricket powder, prepared by Silver Bean Café, another Community Futures Peterborough client. The tasting offered a memorable way to experience innovation firsthand while celebrating the success of local businesses supported through the Community Futures network.

Snacks and lunch throughout the event were proudly catered and provided by Silver Bean Café, further showcasing the exceptional businesses that continue to grow with Community Futures support.

The formal AGM opened with remarks from Jenny Olauson, Board Chair of Community Futures Peterborough, who greeted attendees and helped set the tone for a day of connection and collaboration. A land acknowledgement recognized the traditional Indigenous territories on which we gathered and reaffirmed our commitment to respectful partnerships and community leadership.

Community Futures Eastern Ontario Board Chair, Shai Dubey, guided attendees through the official business of the Annual General Meeting, ensuring the proceedings were conducted smoothly while reflecting the organization's strong governance practices.

The audited financial statements were presented, providing members with an overview of Community Futures Eastern Ontario's financial position and reinforcing the organization's commitment to transparency and accountability.

Executive Director Cyndy Palleske reflected on another year of collaboration, growth, and impact across the Community Futures Eastern Ontario network. Her report highlighted the collective accomplishments of member offices, the continued success of the SOFII program, and the partnerships that help strengthen rural communities throughout the region.

Looking ahead, she shared exciting updates on new initiatives that will support entrepreneurs and economic development in the years to come.

One of the most exciting announcements of the day was the official launch of SOFII SEED, a new initiative designed to further support innovative businesses across Southern Ontario.

The launch represents another important milestone for Community Futures Eastern Ontario as we continue expanding opportunities for entrepreneurs, helping businesses scale, and strengthening regional innovation ecosystems.

This year's AGM also featured an interactive Town Hall session that brought together Community Futures members, volunteers, and ecosystem partners from across the region.

The discussion provided an opportunity for participants to share ideas, identify priorities, and offer valuable input that will help guide the implementation of Community Futures Eastern Ontario's new Strategic Framework. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the session reinforced our commitment to collaboration and ensuring our future direction reflects the needs of the communities we serve.

The event concluded with remarks from Devon Girard, Executive Director of Community Futures Peterborough, and Bonnie Clark, Warden of Peterborough County and Chair of the Eastern Ontario Wardens’ Caucus. Warden Clark congratulated CFEO’s Board, staff, member organizations, and partners for their tremendous work on behalf of rural Eastern Ontario, emphasizing that continued leadership and collaboration will help ensure the region is “truly Future Ready for the opportunities ahead.”

It was clear that the conversations and connections made throughout the day had left a lasting impression. One participant shared that the AGM provided "a great opportunity to share thoughts and ideas," while another described the presentations as "very informative, interesting, and moving." Feedback like this highlights the importance of creating opportunities for collaboration across our network.

We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who attended this year's Annual General Meeting. Your continued support, collaboration, and dedication help strengthen our network and create lasting opportunities for entrepreneurs, businesses, and rural communities throughout Eastern Ontario.

The 2026 AGM served as both a celebration of what we've accomplished together and an opportunity to shape the future of Community Futures Eastern Ontario. We look forward to continuing this work alongside our members, partners, volunteers, and stakeholders in the year ahead.

The 2025-2026 Annual Report provides an overview of Community Futures Eastern Ontario's accomplishments, initiatives, and impact throughout the past fiscal year, highlighting the collective efforts that continue to support business growth and rural economic development across our region.

Thank you to the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) for its ongoing support, and to our member offices, volunteers, partners, and staff for their continued commitment to helping rural businesses and communities succeed.